Everyone (who eats meat) should know how to roast a chicken. It’s easy, delicious, makes your home smell great and gives you incredible leftovers for sandwiches, in ramen, in tacos, etc. Make chicken stock from the carcass.

PS Next you’ll be able to make the Thanksgiving turkey or serve a couple Cornish game hens as a romantic dinner for two!

Basic Whole Roasted Chicken

Ingredients (6)

• 1 (4- to 5-pound) whole chicken, neck and giblets removed from the cavity
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced (optional)
• Fresh herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, or thyme (optional)

Every cook swears by one method or recipe for roasting a chicken, but tricky techniques, fussy brines, and fancy rubs aside, only two things matter: crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. This basic method gives you both without any special pans or weird ingredients. Just rub the bird with oil, salt, and pepper, add a few aromatics, roast for a few minutes on high heat, then finish on low.

Game plan: If you have the time and want crispier skin, salt the chicken the night before and refrigerate it uncovered. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting.

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Place the chicken on a work surface or cutting board and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut off and discard any extra fat hanging around the body cavity.
3. Drizzle the oil on the chicken and rub it all over the skin. Season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Place the lemon and herbs inside the cavity, if using. Place the chicken breast-side up in a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet or small roasting pan.
4. Roast the chicken in the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 375°F and continue roasting until the juices run clear and a thermometer inserted into the inner thigh (but not touching the bone) registers 165°F, about 50 minutes to 1 hour more
5. Remove the chicken from the oven and place on a cutting board. Let it rest about 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

VARIATIONS ON A THEME: http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/11-ways-flavor-roast-chicken